Vehicle-dash



(No Model.)

J. SMITH. Yehiole Dash.

Patented MagnchQLlssa.

v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE."

"JOHN SMITH, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

VEHICLE-DASH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,278, dated March 22, 1881.

Application filed February 25, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom t mag/concern:

' Be it known that I, JOHN SMITH, (formerly a subject of the Queen of England, who have declared my intention to become a citizen of the United States,) residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ollio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Dashes and Attachments Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to the manner of attaching the dash to the vehicle than to any peculiar formation of the dash itself, being of that class of dashes adapted to be made and sold as articles of commerce, and therefore requiring independent and adjustable devices for their attachment to vehiclesin ne, to that class of vehicle-dashes in which the feet are not forged with the dashframe`.

The special objects and purposes of the devices will appeal' at large in the general description, and it is only necessary to state here that I have invented a peculiar construction and arrangement of devices for clamping the dash to the vehicle-body without necessitating the use of clamping-nuts upon the front or outside of the dash and without thoroughly piercing the bars of the dash-frame. I effect this by means of a groove in a separate foot, which acts in combination with a bead in a clamping-piece secured to the bars by screws entering tap-holes in the dash-frame irons,

which construction may be reversed--viz., the bead may be in the foot and the groove in the clamping-iron-and the length of the clampin g-iron permitting of lateral adjustment.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective, viewed from the vehicleseat, showing my improved dash and its fastenings; Fig. 2, a vertical section thereof on the line w w; Fig. 3, a similar section on the line y y; Fig. et, a perspective of the clamp ing-iron, showing the bead for engagement with the groove in the foot. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 represent different forms of the foot adapted to different styles of vehicle-bodies; and Fig. 8, a detail, showing the invention as applied to a"pianobox buggy front.

The foot Ais not forged with the dash-frame, but is a separate piece, and may be of flat bariron in some instances, or may have an upset angle, a, or it may have a slight angle bend,

b, or it may be curved as shown in the Figs.

5, 6, and 7, the purpose of the different forms being to adapt it to different kinds of vehicles.

This foot is attached to the bottom of thevehicle by two screws, c c, in proper position with relation to the dash-frame B. and so that it shall bear against the lower bar, d, thereof upon the inner side. In the inner face of the foot, back of its line of bearing against the 6o bar d, and facing the buggy-seat, is a crossgroove, c, for the purpose of engagement with a bead in the clamping-iron, in the manner hereinbefore stated. The upper part of the foot being against the lower bar of the dash,

a clamping-iron, O, oval shaped in cross-section, and having an L-extension, f, is fastened to the lower and upright bars of the dashframes by three screws, g g g, clamping lthe foot against the bar, and to prevent vertical 7o displacement I form lengthwise the clamp,on its inner side, a bead, h, which, when the clamping-iron is screwed home, engages with the groove e in the foot-piece. The L-extension f is for the purpose of bracing the iron and upsocket attachment, and may be made ornamental. Its very7 construction is symmetrical. The mere engagement of the bead of the clam ping-iron with the groove in the foot, and the fastening by screws which only enter taps in the bars of the dash-frame, eect the lock and thorough fastening of the dash to the body. No other preparation of the dash-frame is necessary beyond the mere drilling or tapping of 9o the bars at the lower corners to receive small screws, by which the clamping-irons are secured to the dash, and by which the dash is firmly held to the attaching-feet.

It is obvious that there may be a bead in the foot and a groove in the clamping-iron, instead of the arrangement described.

The construction of foot and clamping-iron permits the foot to be moved from right to left,

so that it may be in the proper position to at roo tach to the body of the vehicle.

In dashes as heretofore generally. made a The Said 8o jagged edge has been presented at the top, to remedy which a separate lappin g-pieee is used. In my dash Iuse a single piece ot' leather passed overa wooden or other rod, t', from one side to the other, from bottom over top to bottom, and stitch the same under said rod i, at the line s, Iabove the top bar ot'the dash, thus forming a smooth, rounded upper edge, and with the use of a single piece of material only.

The many advantages oi' my improved fastening cannot be here enumerated; but it may be said that I avoid the use of screw-bolts, or other devices that require to be passed through the dash, marring its symmetry.

In my invention the front of the dash remains intact, no puncture of the leather covering being required, While the clamping attachment at the rear is not in the least objee tionable, but quite the reverse.

I claim- 1. In a vehicle-dash fastening, the combination7 with the dash and the body, of a sepa-l rate iron foot, having a groove or bead, a, and adapted to be fastened to the body, and a clamping-iron, C, provided with a bead 0r groove, b, and fastened over the foot to the dash-frame by screws boring into taps in said frame, whereby the dash is firmly secured to the body and held from vertical displacement, substantially as described.

2. In a vehicle-dash fastening in which a beaded clamping-iron secures a grooved foot to the dash, the clamping-iron (l, having the L-extensiou f, for the purpose of bracing the upright bar of the dash and giving strength, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Wit nesses.

Io-HNA SMITH.

Witnesses:

DAVID JONES, WALLIS A. MAHONY. 

